Re: 78 Traverse / 88 Excursion which one? Or another?
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 4:59 pm
I don't own any of these skis- have skied on older incarnations of them many times...The S-98 has the same waist as the S-88, but with much more sidecut and parabolic shape. The S-98- in my limited experience is much "turnier" than the 88. There is no effective difference in flotation between the 88 and the 98. I would much prefer the 112 over the 98 as it offers the "turniness" of the 98, but the 112 is wide enough to be an effective powder Nordic touring ski- IMO. The 98/88 are not wide enough for me to consider them powder skis- therefore, I would rather be on a narrower "turny" ski that is lighter and more responsive with light-duty boots. I would buy an 88 in a second for a distance-oriented powder ski if it came in lengths of 205+cm...fisheater wrote: Al, I really like my S-112, but it is very possible the S-98 may be the sweet spot between the S-88 and the S-112. Canna posted a nice review of the three from Ski Haus Steamboat, the reviewer put the s-88 more in the s-98 class.
The 78 will perform more like your USGI Combats than the wider, less cambered, and curvier skis.The reviewer seemed to indicate the s-78 was stiffer cambered and also noted that it was a straighter ski with less sidecut. I could use a waxless or kicker skinned k&g trail ski. Sometimes all I have is trail skiing, just not enough snow to make turns. I am happy just having a session of hot foreplay (k&g), I don't need to go downhill and make turns (going all the way) all the time. I am much happier tacking a kick through the trails in the woods, than not skiing at all.
I think you might be really surprised by how light, responsive and fun a ski like E-99 is- a stiff double-cambered track ski it is not- it is finely tuned for the backcountry. If you really like the USGI Combat- you would love the E-99. The E-99 is certainly a XC-focused BC ski- but it is a ton of fun on the downhill!
Canna, thanks for the heads up on the e-99. I have read the positive reviews, I not quite ready to go to that class of ski. Maybe after I skied an e-109 or s-78, I may be ready for an e-99, just not now.
Stiff (stiffer than the E-99), double-cambered (more cambered than your USGIs), short...Does anybody have any experience with the Rossignol BC 70?.